Tumbleweed’s Phoenix Drop In Center (DIC) provides a continuum of services that promote homeless youth 22 years and younger to move beyond the streets. In 2005, street outreach teams made contact with almost 2000 youth. Tumbleweed Outreach teams provide immediate needs on the street including nutritious food, clothing, shelter referral, transportation, health care assistance and counseling services. Mobile street outreach program operates 7 days/nights a week serving needs throughout Maricopa Country. Outreach workers work the front lines to locate and assist youth on the streets and encourage them to take that critical first step off the street and into Drop In Center where youth will have access to additional resources, case management, hot meals (3 full meals provided and snacks available daily), showers and beds in a safe and nurturing environment.

Current Program Goals:

Phoenix Pappas Place Drop In Center/Outreach is in the process of finding a new building to accommodate more clients (up to 40 per day) and are researching the possibilities of creating a low demand shelter for homeless street youth ages 18-22 where kids can have a safe place to sleep for 24 hours. Planning stages have begun for an innovative new program involving taking business owners, executives, community members and media on street outreach for an educational view of how homeless youth live, work and survive on the street.

Staff Quote:

“Every youth that comes through our door at the Drop In Center is a survivor.  Using the Youth Development Model, staff and youth work as a team to look forward and create a plan of action from a life off the streets.  The Drop In Center is a safe haven for many street dependent youth, where they can get 3 hot meals, clothing and a youth care worker or case manager to help them with the immediate needs.”
– Steven Serrano, Program Manager, Phoenix DIC

Client Quotes:

"I like Tumbleweed, because it’s a positive environment for youth’s my age.” – Chris, Client, Phoenix DIC

"Tumbleweed will teach me the most important thing I need in my life,
the skills to be…a grown up.” – Sara, Client, Phoenix DIC
 
"I have had days when Outreach was the difference between going to sleep hungry and going to sleep knowing that I had something in my stomach.  I believe that if the Phoenix Drop in Center had not been there, I would never have attained so much from life and from Tumbleweed. Thanks.”
– M.O., Former Outreach Client

Volunteer Opportunities:

Street Outreach Position - Assisting homeless and street youth in basic needs on the street where the kids live, work and sleep. This is the first point is contact with street dependant youth. This position is from 6-9pm Monday-Wednesday.

Special Drop-In Center events coordinator - Help coordinate special events with homeless and street youth. We have events as sporting events, concerts, educational/job fairs.

Job Developer - Help youth who are looking for employment create resumes, and mock interviews, job skills.